Memory Lane

Tannie stirred in her sleep. The constant ticking sound of the wall clock woke her up. She slightly groaned in pain as she opened her eyes. The time read 3:00. It took her a few seconds to realize that she was at the hospital. The sudden distress made her so tired that her body wasn't able to cooperate with her thoughts. She stole a lazy glance of her right wrist where she had been feeling a tingling sensation from the moment she got her consciousness back and found an IV drip inserted into it. Upon getting a proper view of the place Mrs. Bailley who was resting her head by the edge of the bed caught Tannie's attention. Seeing Mrs. Bailley by her side, she had a vague reaction. Starring at her old and slightly wrinkled face, Tannie was taken aback to the time she met Mrs. Bailley. She couldn't recall the exact time when Mrs. Bailley became a part of the Williams household .Her memories only served her from the time she was four when Mrs. Bailley was in her late fourties . Her appearence didn't match her face. Anyone who would see her at that time would believe that she seemed ten years younger than her actual age. She joined as a baby sitter in the beginning but after constant service of years as a loyal employee to the Williams she was appointed as the head maid and assigned with all the responsibilities of the major and minor chores of the Williams mansion.

Tannie took a proper look of the wrinkled face resting besides her. Looking at that face, she was reminded of her childhood. A face that once used to be full of youth and a kind smile she had seen all the time while growing up, has now withered with time. It seemed as if time had stolen away Mrs. Bailley's youth. Tannie couldn't ever forget the time she had spent with Mrs. Bailley as a child. Those were one of her core memories but with time things changed. Tannie eventually distant herself from Mrs. Bailley and started despising her. The Tannie who was very cheerful growing up started getting the grip about circumstances around her and turned into a bottle of champagne that was shakes hastily but never opened. She limited her social life and being bullied at times stopped her from making friends. Thus, after completing middle school she was barely left with any friends. She talked with the people in her class but didn't form a bond that could be given a proper name. When she is at school, if they called her their friend she wouldn't deny but from her side she never mention them as friends in front of others. They treated her well so she didn't have a reason to hate them.

The exact reason for Tannie's hatred towards her former babysitter was unknown to anyone around them. The answer to that was only known to Tannie. The wrinkled face of Mrs. Bailley couldn't let Tannie's thought inside her head stay in and unconsciously made her say," you have aged". The speech was of very low frequency but was enough to wake Mrs. Bailley up. Seeing Tannie in conscious state Mrs. Bailley was at cloud nine. She couldn't be seen more happy. She was restless and started checking on Tannie to make sure that she was feeling alright. She jumped up to rushed towards the side of the bed with the call button and pressed it at once. Meanwhile Tannie was slightly flustered and still hoping that Bailley didn't hear her. 

Since Tannie was an important patient to the hospital and was also admitted into 'Gold Floor', there was an immediate rush of doctors checking different vitals for her. Each one of them trying to please the patient in every unnecessary ways possible. Tannie didn't bother to bat an eye on those boot lickers and remained unconcerned. The doctors left and a few of them weren't pleased with Tannie's attitude and began gossiping right after they exited the room. Among them was a girl named Christine who was transferred into the VIP ward not long ago. She intended to first befriend Tannie and later introduce her maternal uncle to her father for investments in their sinking company. But as she went to greet Tannie pretending to recheck her vitals, she was kicked out by Tannie at once. Her proud self wasn't able to handle the embarrassment and she swore in front of her colleagues that she wasn't going to save Tannie if she was in any danger. This made her colleagues laugh hard which made her whine even more. Among the chaos, all of a sudden the senior doctor Dr. Mathew arrived who was especially incharge of the Williams'. He stood behind those gossipers and cleared his throat alerting them that they were all heard. All of them turned around and vanished with the speed of light after greeting him. He sighed and went in to check on Tannie who was already sitting on the Bed scrolling her phone. "Scrolling phone all day will corrupt your mind. Why don't you rest instead? You brat?", he said with a sarcastic tone.

" What would old geezers like you who carry loads of heave novels with old boring stories know? Hmph!", an instant reply with no sign of honorifics was shot. Mathew cleared his throat and with yet another 'hmph!' said, " You are the old hag to think I carry heavy novels with me. Haven't you heard about the app called ' Web Novel'? with it I don't even need to carry novels around and I can get a huge range to different stories. Who is the oldie now?". " It's still you! Cuz I was reading a new fiction story in the 'Web novel' app for almost a month now.", replied Tannie. "You-", before Mathew could say further the argument was interrupted by Mrs. Bailley who was fade up of this duo pulling each other's leg. Dr. Mathew had known the Williams way before Tannie's birth and he adored Tannie like his own granddaughter. Tannie was also quite fond of him and never hesitate to show her other side to him. They both broke into laughter. 

Mathew did the basic checkup and handed the prescription with some medicines to Mrs. Bailley advising her to get them soon if possible. Mrs. Bailley took a glance at the Prescription sheet and asked Dr. Mathew to prescribe some alternatives as Tannie was allergic to Thiazide Diuretics. She explained that the presence of magnesium stearate would cause her allergic reaction. Dr. Mathew showed a little bit of surpprise to hear Mrs. Bailley's detailed explanation. He was impressed by her unexpected knowledge of the medical field and praised her. He was also happy to know that someone was able to understand his writing without any difficulty as he had always received complaint about how no one was able to understand his writing and it made their tasks difficult to finish. He suggested some alternate medication and left. Tannie didn't bother to pay much attention to the conversation as she was still disturbed by the dream she had while returning home. She wasn't able to distinguish reality form dream. The scenes she witnessed were still playing on loop inside her head. And she was terrified to such extent that she would get goosebumps just by recalling them. 

Seeing Tannie's worried face Mrs. Bailley proceeded to ask her if she was feeling any discomfort. However, Tannie threw aside the hand of Mrs. Bailley that was going to caress her hairs asking her to get lost right away. Mrs. Bailley was a little hurt but she sealed it with a smile and steadily walked out of the room telling her to take care and call her if needed. She also let Tannie knew that she would deliver Tannie's medicines with Mr. Han. Tannie didn't bother to listen and went on to reading her novel.

The whole incident was witnessed by Christine and she had already came to hate Tannie by now. She hated it that Tannie was so rude to her caretaker who was up all night taking care of her. She had an urge to speak up but she was tied down by the rules so she ended up saying nothing and returning to her work.

Christine was greatly affected by the incident. Though she was not related to Mrs. Bailley in any manner she was hurt to see a person much older in age being treated in such a way. Probably the fact that her mother once used to be a maid of a household similar to Williams triggered her emotions more. She couldn't stop thinking about the scene when Tannie kicked Mrs. Bailley out of the room. At the end she decided to go after Mrs. Bailley. She was confident that Bailley wouldn't have walked far as she noticed her limping a few minutes ago. She ran faster than she usually would hoping that she could catch up with Mrs. Bailley. 

After an instant sprint for 5 minutes, Christine spotted Mrs. Bailley strolling at the side walk of the hospital. Christine went up to her to make sure if she was feeling okay. She expressed her feelings about the incident to Mrs. Bailley and apologized even though it had nothing to do with her. Mrs. Bailley caressed her hairs assuring her that she was all better and Christine need not feel sorry for her. She let out her frustration about how the hospital was corrupted and only danced on the tips of the riches who invested their black money in the hospital. Finding Mrs. Bailley sweet and a person who would listen, she even let out a few secrets on how the hospital forged a few murders into mere accidents to protect the children of the riches who were behind them. In the flow she also revealed that she was also forced to be involved in one such incident which ended up promoting her into the 'Gold Floor' of the hospital. Christine suggested her to quit however, Mrs. Bailley seemed to be a loyal servant to the Williams'. She said nothing much and bade farewell to Christine and reassured with a kind smile that she would be fine. 

Christine felt better to see Mrs. Bailley smile and promised that she would do anything to make her feel better. She also promised to help Mrs. Bailley to be their when ever Mrs. Bailley needed her. Mrs. Bailley sarcastically asked if she would be there even if Mrs. Bailley would need her to murder someone. Christine froze for a moment. Mrs. Bailley however cracked into laughter letting Christine know that it was just messing around. Christine sensed the lightness of the mood and smiled as she headed back promising that she would do it if it could make her happy.

Both walked half way in the opposite direction when Christin had something cross her mind and she immediately looked back towards Mrs, Bailley only to find the poor lady limping with her right leg barely managing to drag herself back. Christine turned back and started to heading back mumbling to herself saying she was lacking proper sleep.

Two days flew by and soon it was time for Tannie to return home. Mr. Han was already done with the hospital procedure and ready with the car outside. Mrs. Bailley also came along to pick Tannie. But it didn't provide Tannie with much pleasure and she turfed Bailley out of the car. The people around felt sorry for Mrs. Bailley but no one dared to utter anything. Christine was there as well watching the scene when she was out to see off her patient and it made her blood boil to see a rich person getting things their way done while being insensitive towards others. She went to Mrs. Bailley and putting her arms around Bailley she offered her to give a ride later as she was going to clock out half an hour later. Mrs. Bailley agreed to keep her heart.

On their way back Tannie sat on the backseat looking at her phone screen. After a few minutes of Mr. Han's constant throat clearing and stealing glances of Tannie through the rear view mirror, Tannie said," Just say it out already Uncle Han. Let alone my ear drums, you throat is going to tear apart of all those throat clearing of you." " You should have gone a little easy on her Madame. It must have made her feel humiliated in front of so many people.", Han spoke in one breathe to Tannie's exact expectations. Tannie just replied saying that she did what she felt was right at that moment. Mr. Han didn't drag it further knowing that they would never reach a mutual conclusion. After a long drive Tannie was dropped at the mansion. Mr. Han informed her that Nora was back and resting in the room. Tannie desperately wanted to go see her mother but she was scared to triggering her mother's reaction and didn't dare to face her.

Tannie laid on her stomach in her fluffy mattress holding the phone screen right infront of her eyes. She was scrolling through the phone screen but before she had realized she had zoned out for about 15 minutes already. She only realized when she was startled by the knock at her door by someone asking if she wanted to eat anything. She denied right from her bed to the person on the other side with a voice loud enough to be heard at continued to read her novel. But the memories of the dream she had back then wouldn't stop haunting her and she was unable get herself together ever since. Every time she was doing something or tried to eat food, she would be hit with the memories of the horrific scene and had to rushed to the washroom to through up. It didn't take her long after that to be readmitted in the hospital. 

After almost a moth in the hospital she was provided with psychiatric therapy and she was forbidden to go back to that public park where everything started. 2 years passed by in just a blink and Tannie got better with time. She was gradually able to have food and didn't throw up when she ate. For the last two years, every August 5th she would think of Lienne but the restrictions kept her from going to see her. Tyler would come from time to time a check on her assuring his daughter was recovering well. Despite being busy, Tannie was really important to him and he would put aside anything when it came to her. On the night two years back, he cancelled his important business trip just to see her at the hospital. Bust Mrs. Bailley reassured him that she would look after her and convinced him to go back. Tannie was always obedient towards her father for she knew he was the last person in the world to make any wrong decision for her. And respecting his wish she never went back to that public park.

Tannie had entered University now. And considering her health, the plan to send her abroad for higher studies was dropped. She got into a famous university persuing her studies in Archeology. After completion of the first semester, her department conducted to program to take the students for a trip. A few of Tannie's classmates were simply chatting when one of them mentioned that the sites they were visiting also included a place from Tannie's home town. Tannie heard them but she didn't provide much attention as she was not planning on joining such trips. She just wanted to finish her degree and stay in peace. She didn't have any hopes for her she didn't know what she wanted to do. She chose her course after she was inspired by a character from one of my favorite novels. Suddenly one of them went to Tannie and asked if she was coming for the trip but she shook her head in negation. The classmate then went back to the group and they started looking for the sites on the internet to know more information about the places. Among the laughter and discussions something caught Tannie's attention. She went up to them at once to confirm if she misheard them. " What did you guys say?", she asked them. Without much thought they replied that they were talking about the old public park which was abandoned for a long time in Emerald Valley that was recently renovated and made into a botanical garden cum local museum. Tannie was dumbfounded to realize that they were talking about the same park near the graveyard where she used to meet Lienne. She was unaware of the fact that it was renovated. Her heart clutched at the thought of the graveyard also being demolished. Before she could say anything though, one of those enthusiastic student pulled Tannie's hand and made her sit by their and began reading more from the news article they had found online. Upon reading further they got to know that after multiple failed attempts to demolish the graveyard near the park the authorities decided to invest in the park. The initial plan was to remodel the graveyard by turning it into a museum. But reason behind those failed attempts were not specified which increased the curiosity level of Tannie's classmates even more. Meanwhile Tannie breathed a sigh of release after knowing that the graveyard was safe. Other might not know but the reason behind those failed attempt was well known to her. There couldn't have been a better opportunity for Tannie to visit the graveyard.

Tannie could see her classmates were making up theories about the various possible reason behind those failed attempts. A few of them even came up with theories of secret Alien invasion. The discussion was just on going when Tannie stood up and announced the she would be joining the trip. Everyone from the group discussing the trip made a dramatic head turn towards Tannie. They couldn't believe their ears. Some of them even being Tannie's old classmates from school were speechless. As far as they all could recall back, they had never seen her join in any group trips from the institution. An united response was let out by them asking if Tannie had anything going on in her mind. Tannie stood there while her class mates stared at her in disbelief.